Abuse 'not simply a church problem'

By Thurston HatcherCNN

(CNN) --Experts emphasize that the
problem is hardly unique to or more prevalent among priests.

"People are saying there must be something basically wrong with the
church, but if you look at it from a broader perspective, this is not
simply a church problem or a priest problem," said Stephen
Rossetti, a psychologist. "This is a societal problem, and priests are no more likely to be
involved."

Fred Berlin, director of the National Institute for the Study,
Prevention and Treatment of Sexual Trauma, said he's not aware of any
evidence that the problem occurs more often in the church than in other
segments of society.

"It's just a tragic problem that's been around for years in all aspects
of society," said Berlin, an associate professor of psychiatry at Johns
Hopkins University.

Rossetti cited statistics suggesting that about 0.8 percent of priests have been sexually involved with minors at some point
in their careers. That's less or the same as in society as a whole, he
said.

Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, president of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops, issued a statement earlier this year expressing the
bishops' "profound sorrow" for the behavior of some priests under their
watch.

But he also sought to draw attention to the 40,000 "wonderful priests"
who serve the church.

"I am very saddened that the crimes of a few have cast a shadow over
the grace-filled and necessary work that they do day-in-and-day-out for
society and for the church," he said.

Berlin also expressed concern that the scandal has unfairly tarnished
many "non-offending" priests.

"The overwhelming majority of priests, as best as we can tell, are
doing their jobs properly. They're decent and sincere people so they've
been very victimized in this," he said.

Rossetti contends many church officials have dealt responsibly with the
problem, but suggested priests haven't done a good job of relating their
concerns to the public.

"One of the mistakes we've made is we haven't really communicated our
sincere horror and anger and frustration with priests who sexually molest
minors," Rossetti said. "I think that's why people say the church doesn't
get it. Because somehow we haven't been transparent enough in showing what
we are doing."